Key Individuals

RUDY V. SIMONE, CEO
Responsible for the overall direction of the company, Rudy Simone’s efforts are concentrated in administration, sales and marketing. He directs the company’s expansion in the areas of stone fabrication, floor coverings and product development. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, he has been involved in every phase of construction. His career has progressed from field work to upper level management with expertise in marketing, contract negotiations, organizational planning, quality control, financial accountability, subcontract coordination and cost projections.

DINO P. SIMONE, PRESIDENT
Dino Simone monitors and oversees daily operations and corporate matters. He implements and manages company policy, reviews construction management procedures and directs the firm’s marketing and development programs. Responsible for development of new market areas for the company, he has piloted expansion into Hawaii, Nevada, California and Alaska. Dino Simone holds a degree in business administration from Seattle University where he majored in accounting.

RONNIE R. SIMONE, VICE PRESIDENT
Ronnie Simone oversees Western Tile & Marble’s Builder/Dealer Division and Fabrication Facility. He possesses a broad knowledge of natural stone and ceramic tile products and installation techniques. A graduate of Arizona State University, Ronnie Simone holds a B. A. in Business Management.

JAMES A. ARNOLD, CFO
James Arnold is responsible for Western Tile & Marble’s financial operations, risk management, information systems and resource development. He oversees financial reporting, investment portfolios, information systems and supervises the accounting and administrative staff. James Arnold joined the company in 1994 and has over 30 years of experience in construction accounting and financial and data systems consulting. A graduate of Washington State University, James Arnold is a member of the Washington Society of CPAs and The American Institute of CPAs. He has served as a director of the Puget Sound chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association.

MICHAEL J. WAGNESS, VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Mike Wagness has been our resident geotechnical engineer and special projects manager for over 20 years. He has extensive work experience with high quality installation and maintenance requirements and methods established for natural stone projects. With dual B. S. degrees in geophysics and mathematics from Western Washington University, Mike Wagness manages the company’s Washington commercial and Nevada construction operations.

LUCJAN CHOWANIEC, VICE PRESIDENT – EXTERIOR CLADDING DIVISION
With an M. S. in Civil Engineering from the Silesian Technical University in Poland, Lucjan’s background includes experience in panelized wall systems, architectural and structural pre-cast systems, the cygnus system and a wide range of hand set mechanical attachment systems. He is responsible for the engineering department, from conceptual estimating to final drawings and directly reviews each project estimate during the bidding process. As Project Manager with over 20 years employment with Western Tile & Marble, Inc., he is responsible for material procurement, schedule and coordination as well as monitoring field activities and installation progress. Projects completed by Lucjan Chowaniec include numerous stone veneer installations in excess of 1,000,000 square feet.

CURTIS ROSE, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT
Curtis Rose is a Master Carpenter with 18 years experience in the construction field as General Superintendent for General Contractor. Public and private construction projects include schools, hospitals, government office and military housing, commercial office buildings, fire stations, retail centers and residential construction. Eleven years experience as Stone Cladding Superintendent. Curtis has been with Western Tile & Marble, Inc., or its affiliated companies, for over 20 years and is considered a part of our core management team.